I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker offering Cognitive Behavioral therapy for individuals and families but with an overall integrative approach (meaning I use various approaches whenever necessary, tailored to the individual needs of each client). I received my bachelor degree in Psychology from Loyola Marymount University and master degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Southern California. In addition to private practice, I am a clinical field instructor within the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health for master level social work students who are conducting their internship training through Harbor UCLA Medical Center Outpatient Psychiatry. Within the department of psychiatry, I currently serve as a member of several multidisciplinary treatment teams which specifically target dual disorders, mainly chemical dependency and mental health issues, personality disorders and PTSD/Trauma.
With over 15 years of experience as an individual, family and group therapist, I am currently working with a broad spectrum of general clients including depression and anxiety disorders of all types, personality disorders and co-occuring disorders such as chemical dependency and mental health. Among my areas of expertise are chemical dependency, personality disorders and those who struggle with trauma history.
I am a diplomat and certified member of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy. My clinical orientation is cognitive-behavioral however, I offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each client. Regardless of the type of therapy administered, the importance of the therapeutic relationship is always held as a top priority. I work with each individual to help him or her build on their strengths, learn and actively apply functional coping skills in effort to attain the personal growth they are committed to accomplishing.
Populations in which I have been of service to include but are not limited to the following:
Served as a lead psychiatric social worker, individual and group facilitator, clinical case manager for an outpatient rehabilitation psychiatric day program focusing on the dual diagnosis population through the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health.
Served as the lead outpatient therapist within the Full Service Partnership (FSP) program where I provided field based individual and family psychotherapeutic treatment to children (ages 0 – 15) at risk of abuse and/or neglect and children with severe emotional, psychological and behavioral problems. Additional services provided included 24 hour availability seven days per week and crisis intervention to clients on an as needed basis. I routinely developed appropriate crisis safety plans for all families and clients.
Served as an inpatient clinical social worker in a 120 bed drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility, provided individual and group psychotherapy services, assessment, clinical case management and discharge planning services for the dual diagnosed population struggling with mental health and substance issues.
Served as a clinical social worker within a community based, nonprofit organization focused on providing mental health care, clinical case management and housing stabilization for at risk, adult population.
